Smith Backs Buyout He Urges Sale Of 911 Center

October 03, 1995|by MATT ASSAD, The Morning Call

Bethlehem Mayor Ken Smith yesterday recommended that the City Council accept the county's buyout of the city 911 center, contending that it will save city taxpayers $2.9 million over the next six years.

The mayor's leap of faith in the proposed county system does not guarantee council approval, but it's welcome news for county administrators who only a month ago thought the Bethlehem buyout plan was nearly dead.

Late last week, the city received a written proposal that would have the county pay $1.5 million over six years for the Bethlehem 911 system and its 800 MHZ frequencies.

The mayor's recommendation comes after weeks of protest from city 911 center employees and residents who argued that it should not join the county system. While some feared losing their jobs, others were concerned the county system could not give them the same personalized services.

"As mayor, I have a responsibility to separate emotion from fact," Smith said yesterday. "I'm convinced this system will be as good as what we have, and I think it will save the city a considerable amount of money."

The mayor has forwarded his recommendations to council, which is expected to review the proposal in its Public Safety Committee, but will not likely get a chance to vote on it until Oct. 17.

"To me, that's encouraging," said Frank Bilotta, the county's director of administration. "It does not mean city council will go for it, but it's encouraging. For purposes of moving forward with the planning, the assumption is being made that Bethlehem will be part of the system."

Under the plan, Bethlehem's system would be bought and worked into a countywide system that would likely be run by SHL SystemHouse of Robbinsville N.J. SystemHouse was hired to devise a 911 plan in which a private company would provide the equipment and personnel and operate the system under the county's direction.

Bethlehem would be the first of nine county dispatch centers to be worked into the county 911 system between January and December of 1996. As part of the deal proposed by the county, all 16 Bethlehem dispatch workers would be offered jobs in the new system, and they would be paid for any reduction in benefits.

Brackbill and County Council members have said they would prefer building a countywide system that includes Bethlehem, but they've also said they would proceed without the city, if necessary.

In his written recommendation to council, the mayor states that the city stands not only to get $1.5 million for the system, but it will also avoid an estimated city 911 center deficit of $768,000 over six years. In all, the city stands to gain about $2.9 million over the six years.

"The numbers are compelling because they stretch into the next century," Smith said. "If we can assume the system will do what it does now, then we should do this. We have a responsibility to the taxpayer."

Whether Bethlehem Council will listen remains to be seen, but Smith said he's more confident about approval now than he was a month ago.

The prospect of saving nearly $3 million has even interested Councilman Paul Calvo, who last month suggested the city cut off talks with the county.

"I'm still not convinced," Calvo said. "But now I'm willing to listen."

SystemHouse will unveil its countywide plan to County Council Thursday -- with the assumption that Bethlehem will be part of it -- but council is not expected to take a vote until Oct. 19.